Physical distancing – PARADIGM Sports

What will the “New” Normal Be?

Posted May 12, 2020January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Organization Executive, Parents

With the state of uncertainty that has evolved the last couple of months as countries locked down to flatten the curve and now many looking at easing up physical distancing to shift to phase II of the COVID19 era, I for one can say I am crossing my fingers that we do so in a manner that will ensure that we all continue to stay safe.

In the last few weeks, I have had conversations with various sports leaders, coaches, parents, players as well as various small business owners who are looking forward to returning but the big question we all keep asking ourselves is what will that in fact be?

If the recent outbreak that happened in South Korea where a man who was positive for COVID19 has any indication of a worst-case scenario leading to infecting 40 others while going to night clubs is potentially going to happen, I continue to caution everyone to adhere to all of the recommendations from health authorities to ensure that EVERYONE is safe when we start returning back to sporting activities.

I also must confess, I came across an article that shared the anecdote it is going to be like the Wild West when we do so, as so many people have been cooped up at home for many weeks that ANY opportunity will one people will be chasing.

This is what I do know .. as I have shared with students who we have sponsored for years, Haste Makes Waste.

In lieu of diving into the pool, we need to all tip our toes to test the waters so to speak before entering phase II, IV and beyond.

Here are just a few of the examples who have returned to play and safety measures they have implemented;

#1 – Mother’s Day St. Louis Tournament for 54 Youth Baseball teams May 8-10^th, 2020

COVID19 Safety Measures per the Tournament Coordinator Rob Worstenholm

Players and Coaches to adhere to physical distancing by only having 3 people in the dugout
Umpire standing 6’ behind the pitcher
High-Fives, Fist Pumps, Hand-Shaking Banned (in lieu tipping their hats)
Balls were cleaned every half-inning
Dugouts cleaned after every game
Spectators had to sit in the outfield (bring their own chairs)

This was against recommendations of Missouri Health Official, Lynelle Phillips who shared “To hold a huge baseball tournament, even the most optimistic of us have to cringe at that” and Morstenholm said 50% of parents were for hosting the tournament vs. other thought it was too risky to do so. Only time will tell if any COVID cases came out of the 1000+ players, parents, coaches, officials that participated. If none, then it sets the bar for others to follow, if any, it could push youth sports back for quite sometime to ensure we flatten the curve.

Burnaby Winter Club Renting Ice for small groups – May 5th

Within minutes of announcing they would be re-opening over a hundred parents reached out to BWC’s registrar but shared that the ice rentals that had traditionally been for spring hockey teams, games and potentially tournaments would be different than Pre Covid era

This means no team practices, only private lessons for skills development with 4 players on the ice and a skills instructor

Other safety measures to include;

Players must arrive at the rink in full gear (even when they were in full operation I know first hand this may be more beneficial due to the smaller size of the dressing rooms vs. newer facilities) as dressing rooms would be closed
Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to ice time (no warming up in the parking lot permitted)
One way traffic flow both entering and out of the building

#3 – MLS (Soccer) / European Premiere (Football) Teams commence practicing in anticipation of playing games

Safety measures include;

Adhering to Physical Distancing (minimum 6′ / 2 metres)
All Players, coaches and support staff are wearing masks
Regular Handwashing for 20 seconds
All equipment and practice areas will be sanitized on a regular basis
Players are also taking pay cuts in anticipation of shortened seasons
League games will be played in empty stadiums live-streamed by sports media
MLS league games will be on a neutral site, Disney World, where all players/coaches will be isolated in hotels

Other professional sports are also ramping up in anticipation of seasons continuing (NHL/NBA) or starting up (MLB)

NBA teams have been given the green light to practice but continuing to adhere to safety measures
Hosting games in a neutral site where all players/coaches would be quarantined in hotels and playing games in empty arena’s
MLB continues to look at a shortened season when they are able to Play Ball based on what the required safety measures will be
NFL – already hosted their virtual draft and anticipating starting league play as normal after labor day (albeit may be empty stadiums)

All of which so they can at least start providing live games on TV, one their top revenue generators but by no means will that offset loss in merchandise, concession, and ticket revenue

What then is going to happen with other community youth sports organizations either trying to salvage some semblance of a spring season or those with traditional fall sports programming (Ice Hockey, Field Lacrosse, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, and Soccer in certain provinces as well as others)

Each one I have talked they all say the same thing, they are waiting for direction from health authorities and their governing bodies to advise what the next phase will be.

All, including yours truly, are anxious to return back to play, but until a vaccine is developed and the majority of the population has been exposed to, tested positive and recovered from the novel coronavirus we are still going to be in this for the long term.

Just as I have been saying when it comes to athletic development, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, before we take the deep plunge to return to play I truly hope that we slowly tip our toe in the water and ease back into it. The other upside to the Global Sports Time Out is it has given us all time to reflect what truly is important and many kids have had the opportunity to sample various other athletic skills they may not have had based on crazy organized sports schedules they had. The other big positive, they have experienced what “free play” is again, no coaches or officials telling them what to do, they just played for the sake of playing.

The last thing we need is to regress backward like South Korea is doing now as a result of easing up their physical distancing requirements way too early.

Nothing would please me more when we do see teams competing For The of The Game again but until we do, let’s do everything, and then some that medical practitioners advise to do to ensure that not only participants but all other stakeholders stay safe.

The importance of staying connected

Posted April 25, 2020January 27, 2022 Glen MulcahyPosted in Athlete, Coach, Organization Executive, Parents

For years we have been advocating the importance for coaches to connect with their players (AKA – Athlete Centred or Transformational Coaching) and I can’t emphasize the importance now for coaches to do so.

Although all sports continue to practice “wait and see” approach across the globe in adherence of physical distancing mandates by health and government authorities, those at all levels of youth sports should take this time to ensure they stay connected with their players, and their players stay connected with their teammates.

As I referenced in prior posts, I have been against the term social distancing from the get go, although we can not play games, go to practices or other team activities, we can and must stay socially connected.

I have talked to several coaches the last couple of weeks who were anxious to start up their spring seasons in baseball, softball, lacrosse and when I asked them if they were still having team meetings or providing their players things they could do at home I was stunned when all said no … we are crossing our fingers we will be able to play in May, June etc.

To which I said …

What are you waiting for?

Your players need you more than ever now, as do your players need to stay connected with their teammates.

Yes, this is an unprecedented time in the history of the globe where no sports are being played I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you to be that transformational coach your players are looking for.

Some tips to do so:

# 1 – Set up regular Team Meetings via Zoom via free account – you can do so for free for 40 minutes at a time to stay in touch with your players. Ask open-ended questions like “how are you all feeling, how are you doing” to permit them to share vs. yes, no answers

Some of the more introverted players on your team will probably be the last to contribute but the more they know you and their teammates have their back, the more they will open up.

#2 – Setup one on one’s video chats via other platforms like Skype (remember the good old days), WhatsApp to ask them to share with you directly and so you, in turn, can remind them the importance of regular routine, focusing on school and other activities like art, band

#3 – Ask them the following so can create player profiles to have a deeper connection with your athletes when you are able to return back to play

What do you miss the most?
Why do you play?
What don’t you like?
What are the characteristics you want from your teammates?
What are your personal goals?
What do we want to accomplish as a team?

This is an exercise I have done with all of my teams over the years so that we could create our core team values as headed into the season and it also helped us get thru the storming period much faster

#4 – In addition to checking in on your players, I encourage you in your weekly virtual meetings to discuss the core values identified and focus on one per week

The first ones I would recommend that you touch on are;

Respect – What is it and who should they respect?

Sportsmanship – What are examples of good and poor sportsmanship?

What does winning with humility and losing with dignity mean?

Selflessness – Gratitude – Leadership – Communication – Work Ethic – Honesty – Integrity

Mindfulness – Praise – Thoughtfulness – Fearlessness – Awareness – Sacrifice – Trust

And numerous others that you wish to instill as part of your core values as a team, but also teach valuable life lessons and character of your players to develop them into adults

# 5 – Talk about nutrition – why it is important for them to eat healthy not just when they are in season, but year-round and especially now. Reinforce the importance for them to come to have their own full water bottle for all team activities when they do return

#6 – Reinforce the importance regular schedule, doing their virtual school work, homework, reading and getting 60 minutes of activity a day, going to sleep and waking up at regular times (vs. binge-watching Netflix, playing until all hours and sleeping until noon)

#7 – Share examples of drills they can do on their own at home via youtube or other platforms to continue working on their skills

#8 – Reinforce the importance of staying connected with their teammates to continue to develop team chemistry … they can do so by face time, WhatsApp, Skype, or other video platforms as texting, messenger, or better yet … a phone call (what’s that you say?)

#9 – I also encourage you to take this opportunity to have regular check-ins with your player’s parents to share any updates from your leagues when and how they foresee will return to play as well as sharing your insight so they are engaged

#10 – Ensure that you include all of your coaches in meetings as well and connect with them on a regular basis separately as we are all in this together, they may have things going on they don’t want to share with players or even fellow coaches

Most importantly, as many of us are struggling potentially with finances when you, your partners have been laid off, seen significant reductions in revenues for small businesses, ensure that you try to stay as positive as possible for all of your kids (if you are parent coach, you now have a very large family)

Be that positive role model that your players need more than ever and when you are able to return back to play by doing so you will have done what the greatest coaches of all time have done … they cared about their players.